Benefits

The ideal place to unplug, slow down that fast pace, and get back in touch with nature

The ideal location to unplug and enjoy the beauty of nature

Rediscover yourself after too long of feeling disconnected

Drop out of “normal life” for a period

Full Description

Day 1 March 6
Arrival in Manila. You will be picked up and transferred to hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 2 March 7
We fly out from Manila to Laoag, Ilocos Norte and then drive for two hours to Vigan, Ilocos Sur - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the oldest towns in the Philippines, Vigan is a Spanish-colonial fairy tale of dark-wood mansions, cobblestone streets and clattering kalesa (horse-drawn carriages). Yoga session in the evening.

Day 3 March 8
After breakfast, we head out for the city tour on kalesa or tuk-tuk (subject to availability) until noon. The rest of the day is free until our yoga session before dinner.

Day 4 March 9
We do our morning practice before breakfast. Afterward, we drive to Sagada, a remote mountain town in under 6 hours.

Lonely Planet describes it as "Sitting among mist-shrouded mountains, tiny Sagada is the closest thing the Philippines has to a Southeast Asian backpacker mecca, yet it's possible to find tranquility along its many hiking trails and adrenalin-pumping adventure in the depths of its caves.

There's a mystical element to this former refuge of dictatorship-fleeing intelligentsia: the centuries-old coffins high up along limestone cliffs since traditionally the spirits of the dead liked to be close to the sky."

Day 5 March 10
Rise and shine yoga on the terrace in the morning. A cultural tour after our hearty breakfast is planned to visit the Ganduyan museum, St. Mary's church, Echo Valley, Hanging Coffins and Sagada Weaving. An optional trek to the Bomod-ok Falls and Sumaguing Cave for the thrill seekers is at your expense.

Day 6 March 11
It will be a very early start as we head to Kiltepan Viewpoint, a spot famed for the amazing view of sunrise in Sagada, as it rises behind the mountains of Cordillera and over the horizon of sea of clouds. This is a great opportunity to experience the spirituality of the place as we sit in silence for meditation and a yoga practice.

We then come back to the hotel for our breakfast. After lunch, we make our way to Banaue, where we will stay for four nights.

Day 7 March 12
A visit to the most breathtaking among the rice terraces is Batad, carved along the steep side of a mountain looking more like a giant amphitheater. The trek is a one and a half hour jeepney ride up to Saddle Point, where we will start going down to the village, which takes another one and a half hour. The village is amazing and well-preserved for many years. Another half an hour brings us to Tappiyah Waterfalls, where we could go for a swim. General level of fitness is required. Duration is 8-10 hours. No yoga session planned.

Day 8 March 13
We will have a yoga session in the morning to slowly stretch out our aching muscles and limbs from the trek the day before. After breakfast, you have a chance to explore the surrounding area, have a massage or simply sit and relax. The rest of the morning is at your leisure.

We change hotels and transfer to a unique mountain lodge overlooking Banaue’s World Heritage Rice Terraces.

Day 9 March 14
We go on another breathtaking trek to the Banaue Rice Terraces, the eighth wonder of the world. Like the rest of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, these are still in use today. If the terraces were laid end to end, they would stretch half-way around the world. An optional visit to the Museum of Cordillera Sculpture and Banaue Museum is at your expense. Depending on the duration of the trek, our yoga session is planned before dinner.

Day 10 March 15
After our yoga session and breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to the Rice Terraces as we head back to Manila in our private air-conditioned van. Estimated travel is ten hours with breaks in between.

Day 11 March 16
Departure from Manila. Extension is possible at your own expense.

Food

Local food and vegetarian food

Location

Manila, Vigan, Sagada, Bontoc, Batad, and Banaue

What Makes This Retreat Special

With stunning views and backdrops, the astounding rice terraces will take your breath away and leave you feeling mesmerized by these man-made creations!

Traveling through Sagada, Bontoc, Banaue and Batad we will immerse ourselves in the Ifugao culture and traditions.

A certain level of fitness is required to walk through Batad as it is only accessible by foot. Option to stay in Banaue if unable to walk down to Batad.

Nearby is Sagada in Mountain Province. Famous for its hanging coffins and limestone caves, this town is a must destination for backpackers. Spelunking, caving and rock climbing are among the many activities to do.

As a side trip we will visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the City of Vigan, one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines where its structures remained intact, and is well known for its cobblestone streets and a unique architecture that fuses Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial European architecture.

The last destination is considered one of the "top surf spots" in the Philippines. Nine-feet killer waves serve as its main tourist asset, attracting hundreds of surfers during the surfing season from September to February. With 70% forest cover and 328 kilometers of pure coast, it has gems yet to be discovered.

Reviews

Teachers

Patricia is a London-based, qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher having finished her 500-hour teacher training in 2009 with Marc Beuvain in the tradition of Sri T.Krishnamacharya.

Her classes are geared towards all levels, especially for beginners, and she is certified to teach baby, kids, family, prenatal/postnatal and most recently, yin yoga. Group classes offer three variations to suit each individual's needs and capabilities.

Surrounding Area

Additional

Center

Samyama Yoga was born out of our enthusiasm to share the benefits of yoga to the community. In any stage of life, there are enormous benefits to be realized through regular practice and effort.

There are a variety of yogic tools for use in every circumstance or age group.

Currently, we are based in Dalston, East London. Juggling motherhood and teaching we are grateful for the opportunities we have been given to spread the benefits of yoga to people from different walks of life in leisure and community centres, nurseries, primary schools and even our local children's centre.

Cancellation policy

Strict

BookRetreats allows retreat owners to choose among three standardized cancellation policies (Flexible, Moderate, and Strict) that we've created in order to make cancellations clear. If these don't fit the retreat owner, they are allowed to choose their own custom policy.

All deposits are non-refundable.

The remaining balance (total price - deposit) is due within 60 days of arrival. The remaining balance is non-refundable once paid.

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